Cookawa City lay in West Bayam on the Southern Continent, not far from Liberation Port, the largest port in the north. Originally an Intis colony, it had been controlled indirectly through local armed forces to reduce colonial costs. After the armies and colonial governments of the various nations were expelled, it had been reclaimed by Sia Palenque Eggers, the Pale Empress, who carried the blood of the former Balam royal family and claimed to be a descendant of Death.
Of course, it was now also part of the joint political entity formed by the Southern Continent liberation movement. As Christina walked along streets lined with low buildings, the street scenes and pedestrians she saw were no different from those in Liberation Port.
"So that strange 'kidnapping' ended just as strangely?" Tina muttered in her mind as she headed toward the city center.
The Genie, who had regained his vigor after leaving the basement, grunted in agreement and answered:
"Partly because your wish really did work, allowing you and your sister to escape danger without suffering further harm. And partly because, as that Knight of Misfortune explained, an incorrect ritual and incorrect offerings will not attract an Outer Deity's attention. You were never actually in danger."
Knight of Misfortune... Tina picked up on that particular detail in the Genie's answer. Her thoughts turned to the knowledge forcibly poured into her brain today, which she had yet to truly digest, and she exclaimed:
"Arianna is a Sequence 1 Archangel?"
She had originally assumed the woman was merely a Saint—someone at Sequence 4 or Sequence 3.
An Archangel, however, was a powerful Beyonder second only to a God. According to the Genie, each pathway could have at most one or two. Not only were they exceedingly rare, but they also occupied lofty positions: